WCSU Students Earn Distinguished Barnard Award

From Western Connecticut State University:

DANBURY, CONN. — Because of their leadership, hard work and excellence in their studies, Western Connecticut State University seniors Alexis Koukos of Danbury and Colleen Mair of Milford were chosen as winners of this year’s Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award.

The award was established in 1983 as the private development foundation of the Connecticut State University system. There are 12 given annually to distinguished students from Western, Central, Eastern and Southern Connecticut State universities. The students received their awards in April.

“I want to continue to improve as a person and make strides toward improving the lives of others,” Koukos said. “I will always cherish my undergraduate career at WCSU and I cannot thank the professors, staff and students enough for the impact they have had on my life. My professors have shown me what hard work really is and taught me not only critical subject matter, but how to be a productive and informed member of society.”

Koukos, an accounting major with a double minor in professional writing and finance, will graduate in May. The merit scholar and member of the WCSU Kathwari Honors Program has a long list of honors and awards including the Connecticut CPA Junior Award and Institute of Management Accounts Junior Award. Campus activities include editor of the Ancell School of Business newsletter, president of the WCSU Honors Student Organization; and an Honors Research assistant for Early Fraud Detection. She is currently a freelance writer for The Record-Journal in Meriden writing feature and human interest stories.

Colleen Mair, who is majoring in psychology and justice and law administration, is also in the WCSU Kathwari Honors Program, which she says has shaped her academic journey. Despite a heavy load at school, Mair has had numerous volunteer commitments including the March of Dimes Walk, Hurricane Sandy Relief fundraiser and Project Homeless Connect. She is the recipient of many scholarships including the Kathwari Honors Program Merit Scholarship and the Jason & Ellen M. Hancock Student Scholarship. Past president and member of the WCSU Roger Sherman Debate Society, Mair has won nearly a dozen awards for her debate skills.

“I am proud to say that I will start my Ph.D. in criminology next fall on a full scholarship,” Mair said. “I am thankful for the time I have spent at WCSU. I believe it has challenged me to courageously seek out the lessons that the world has to offer.”

About Western Connecticut State University

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.